Following a controversial video about the Fall of Dhaka incident posted on the official X handle of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, party leaders appeared divided on whether to endorse or reject the post.
Commenting on the contentious X (formerly Twitter) post, PTI lawmaker Ali Muhammad Khan stated on Friday that Imran Khan was unaware of the post and would “personally approve” social media content moving forward.
Read more: Imran Khan Refuses FIA Cyber Crime Team’s Inquiry at Adiala Jail
During a press conference in Islamabad, Ali Muhammad Khan clarified that the incarcerated former premier was not involved with the controversial video posted on his verified X account, which received severe criticism, including from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He emphasized that Imran Khan’s viewpoint should be understood in a political context and that the former ruling party had no interest in discussing the 1971 incident or its causes, deeming it inappropriate to recall them now.
Ali Muhammad Khan explained that PTI’s intent was to urge avoiding past mistakes, from 1971 to 2018, while opposing the establishment’s involvement in political affairs. When asked who was responsible for handling the deposed prime minister’s social media account, Ali did not name anyone but mentioned that future social media content would require Imran Khan’s approval.
The party’s stance seemed inconsistent as other PTI leaders defended the controversial X post. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stated the video was shared on Imran Khan’s X account within the current political context. Meanwhile, PTI Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan initially called for an investigation but later retracted, admitting he hadn’t seen the video.
Read more: My only regret is trusting Gen Bajwa: Imran Khan tells American Journalist
PTI leader and Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Zain Qureshi claimed on a private channel that the party managed Imran Khan’s social media account and took his approval before posting. He affirmed that Imran’s X posts were endorsed as party policy.
Facing widespread criticism, the PTI core committee issued a statement rejecting the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) probe into Imran Khan’s social media post, asserting that a new case based on the post would be unwarranted.
The controversial X post, attributed to the former premier, read: “Every Pakistani should study the Hamood ur Rahman Commission Report and get to know who was the true traitor, General Yahya Khan or Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”
The FIA’s cybercrime wing decided to take action against Imran Khan for the tweet, visiting Adiala Jail late Thursday night to question him. However, Imran Khan refused to meet with the FIA’s anti-cybercrime team or participate in the probe concerning his controversial social media post.